Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
As a child of the 70's, I sat, with
millions of people, in rapt attention as ABC presented
"Roots," an epic story of the treatment of slaves
in America. Since that cyclopean moment in American
history, we have seen numerous changes in race relations
in America. And as a white, middle class male, I've
had to work through many feelings of racism as well
as white guilt. I continue to work on these feelings
to this day.
It may be easy for us, as Americans,
to dismiss the impact of "Rabbit-Proof Fence," mainly
because, well, we've seen it before. We know the horrors
of racism and the atrocities white humans have put
upon humans of color for centuries. And, as Americans,
this story of such horrible atrocities isn't quite
our own; it is Australia's
"Rabbit-Proof Fence" tells the story
of three Aboriginal girls who are taken by white men
from their homes to be used as servants and their
epic struggle to return to their mother's arms. In
every way it is an important film and one that elevates
the human spirit. And yet, as an American, it seemed
like old hat. I hate to say that, but it is true.
The film has a perfect script, beautiful
images and wonderful acting, particularly from Everlyn
Sampi as young Molly. And yet it simply seems to constantly
reaffirm the idea that "white man is bad.' That's
all I heard echoing in the background of my mind,
over and over, as the film played out... "white man
bad."
The script is nice in that it fully
explains the implications of the thought-processes
going on at the time. Kenneth Branagh personifies
"bad white man" as Mr. Neville, a British figurehead
given total control of the Aborigines by his government.
In an effective and disturbing scene, Branagh explain
why he personally, as well as the government, are
so interested in working to breed the Aboriginal bloodline
out of half-caste (half white, half Aboriginal) children.
Branagh's Neville is portrayed sympathetically here
and he is not seen as evil, simply ignorant and wrong-headed,
much in the way that Manifest Destiny is now seen
as ignorant and wrong-headed.
But the true star of the film here
is the beautiful and almost untouched Australian outback
that plays home to the three girls as they trek ever
vigilantly home. As much an homage to Nicolas Roeg's
"Walkabout" as a recreation of it, the images here
are as stark and beautiful as that film from 30 years
ago. It is only the impersonal and ugly titular fence
that betrays the beauty of the landscape. Placed squarely
in nearly every frame, the fence is a constant reminder
that white man's influx into this Eden is tainting
it and destroying it. It stands in nearly every frame
to remind us, yet again, "white man bad."
The beautiful yet tarnished images
of this landscape and much of the story is accented
by nice music by Peter Gabriel. A purveyor and practitioner
of "world music," Gabriel seems a perfect choice to
add music to the images here. His score may be in
many ways a rehash of his score for Scorsese's "The
Last Temptation of Christ" but it is nonetheless effective
because of this.
"Rabbit-Proof Fence" is a wonderful
film. It's sad and interesting, in a way, however,
that my inherent "white guilt" consistently tapped
me on the shoulder while I watched it even though
it takes place in a country I've never visited seemingly
a million miles away...
Notes:
Directed by Phillip Noyce.
Based on a true story recounted
in the book by Doris Pilkington, "Follow the Rabbit-Proof
Fence." Pilkington is the real life daughter of the
character in the book and film, Molly.
The real Molly appears in a film
clip at the end of the film.
Sampi ran away twice during filming.
Nominated for (and won) several
awards.
In America, Noyce's film "The Quiet
American" was released around the same time as this
film.
Viewed at a press screening in Austin
in December 2002.
